Mayor Stemerdink Presents a Royal Honor to Ms. Hillen

Ms. Hillen is the initiator and co-founder of the Voorschot Foundation. The foundation was established in 2010 by a group of parents with the ultimate goal of creating better housing and care facilities for their young adult children with autism (whether or not combined with another disability). From the foundation’s inception, Ms. Hillen assumed the role of chair of the board. After an intensive period of preparation, Villa Voorschot opened on June 20, 2015—a small-scale residential and work facility where living, working, support, care, and social entrepreneurship come together. 

Years of Commitment

Even after the opening of Villa Voorschot, Ms. Hillen remained chair of the board of the Voorschot Foundation. After serving as chair for seven years, Ms. Hillen subsequently became an advisor to the foundation. Since July 2022, Ms. Hillen has been chair of the Care Committee at the Voorschot Foundation. She was involved in establishing the committee and introduced it to the ASVZ care facility, the caregivers and parents of the residents, and other stakeholders outside the foundation. In April 2024, Ms. Hillen—as chair of the Care Committee—was tasked by the foundation’s board with forming a project group called “Full Home Care Package.” 

The Hethuis Foundation

In 2013, Ms. Hillen joined the board of the Hethuis Foundation. By sharing and applying the knowledge and experience she had gained during the development of Villa Voorschot, a residential and work facility for 18 young adults with one or more disabilities—Hethuis—was established in Leidschendam in June 2021. 

Foundation for Services to Parent Initiatives

In addition to her commitment to the initiatives mentioned above, Ms. Hillen also founded the Foundation for Parent-Led Initiatives (SDOI). Parent-led initiatives are small-scale residential settings (such as the aforementioned Villa Voorschot and Hethuis), established by parents for their children with disabilities. Furthermore, she has been and continues to be active as a mediator in conflicts within parent-led initiatives, and she is a member of the SDOI’s complaints committee.

Neighborhood Mediation

Since 2017, Ms. Hillen has been volunteering with Buurtbemiddeling Leiden en Omstreken. In this role, she has helped many neighbors resolve conflicts among themselves, which has contributed to the quality of life in the Leiden community. In addition, Ms. Hillen is involved in tracing and reuniting adopted children with their biological mothers in Brazil.

Knight of the Order of Orange-Nassau

Ms. Hillen is being honored as a Knight in the Order of Orange-Nassau for her contributions in the fields of healthcare, social welfare, and mediation.